Bihar Environment Minister inaugurates ‘Ecotourism Investors Meet-2026’
Bihar Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ram Chandra Prasad on Monday, July 13, 2026, inaugurated the “Ecotourism Investors Meet-2026” organized to boost ecotourism with the participation of private investors in the state.
An investor meeting was held throughout the day at a city hotel, attended by potential investors from all over the country who had the potential to invest in different ecotourism destinations of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prasad assured investors that the state government is committed to providing them (investors) with all possible assistance. “The state government is committed to cooperate and assist in every possible way to resolve their (investors’) grievances and problems,” Mr. Prasad said.
“Come (and invest) and be part of the fast-growing state of Bihar,” he said, adding that the investors’ meet was organized under the able and effective guidance of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting in general terms, Additional Chief Secretary of the Ministry, Anand Kishor, asked “investors to raise their scores and give their suggestions during the meeting. The RFP (for development of ecotourism destinations) uploaded on the website or published in newspapers is not a ‘final proposal’. We will prepare an RFP following your suggestions.”
Stating that the ministry will prepare an investor-friendly policy to provide convenience to investors, Kishor said that the person who invests should adopt this as a “profession”.
The state government has launched a series of schemes to promote both tourism and ecotourism in the state and this ‘investors meet’ is one of the few such initiatives aimed at promoting ecotourism.
The investors aim to develop the state’s ecotourism destinations through Public Private Partnership (PPP) on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis with support from Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
Stating that the Ministry has opened many ecotourism areas divided into two groups to be developed as tourist destinations, Kishor said that there are 29 “Reservoir-based ecotourism projects” in Group A, and 247 projects in Group B consist of ponds, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies.
For Group A projects, a minimum annual turnover of Rs 10 million per site is mandatory. In cases where an investor opts for more than one site, the turnover requirement will increase proportionately with the upper limit being ₹ 50 crore.
For Group B projects, the minimum annual turnover requirement is ₹2 crore per site and the maximum limit is ₹10 crore.
Adventure sports and water sports will be developed in major ecotourism destinations that attract large numbers of tourists, Mr. Kishor said, adding that the ministry has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) to provide facilities and develop areas with the help of private players.
An RFP (Request for Proposal) has already been issued for an ecotourism project in Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, with a deadline of July 28.
Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Arvinder Singh, who welcomed the guests, investors and participants earlier, said the ministry was encouraging private investment through the PPP model.
Selected investors will be offered project sites for a 30-year lease, he said, adding that financial support will be extended through the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) to ensure the financial viability of eligible projects.
Asserting that there is huge potential for ecotourism in Bihar, Mr. Singh said that various infrastructure facilities have been developed in various ecotourism destinations such as Karamchat dam in Rohtas, Mundeshwari in Kaimur, zoo safari in Nalanda, nature safari, ropeway, Kakolat waterfall in Nawada. He added that the influx of tourists to these places is much higher.
More than ₹500 crore has been spent on development of ecotourism sites in Bihar in the last few years, Mr. Singh said, adding that the government has proposed development of ecotourism destinations through PPP mode.
It was published – 14 July 2026 04:00 IST
